Barcelona will be hoping to put a halt to their terrible run of recent form when they welcome Valencia to Camp Nou on Sunday. Luis Enrique's side have won only one of their last five games, and head into this La Liga clash fresh from being dumped out of the Champions League at home to domestic rivals Atlético Madrid. They're now only a point clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table, and can't afford any more slip-ups.
Barcelona vs. Valencia 2016 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Barcelona will look to stop their recent rot when they welcome Valencia on Sunday.
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If there is good news for Barça, it's that they're taking on a side who have been chronic underperformers in the league this season. They find themselves down in 14th place, and have lost five of their last seven in the league. That said, they did manage to get one over on Sevilla in their last outing, so coach Pako Ayestarán may well be starting to turn things around after the disastrous tenure of rookie coach Gary Neville.
Key matchup: Valencia's defensive organisation vs. Barça's attack
It's an obvious matchup, but it's the one that will determine the outcome of this match. Barça were completely outclassed against a supremely organised Atlético Madrid side in midweek, with their terrifying attacking players (Neymar, Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi) struggling just to get a mere touch of the ball. It'll be nigh-on impossible for Valencia to replicate such a performance, but if they can get anywhere close, they're in with a chance of avoiding defeat.
Recent history
These sides met at the Camp Nou in the Copa del Rey back in February, with Gary Neville’s side suffering an utterly humiliating 7-0 defeat. Barça have won three of their last five encounters with Valencia in all competitions, and haven’t lost since Feb. 2014, when Paco Alcácer netted a winner against Tata Martino’s Barça.
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: Jérémy Mathieu (knee); Sandro Ramírez (hamstring); Thomas Vermaelen (calf); Arda Turan (suspended). In doubt: Rafinha (hamstring).
Valencia injuries and suspensions
Out: Zakaria Bakkali (pubic bone); Denis Cheryshev (thigh); Pablo Piatti (groin). In doubt: None.
Barcelona are still without veteran defenders Mathieu and Vermaelen, who are joined in the stands by suspended midfielder Turan and injured attacker Ramírez. They’ll be hoping midfielder Rafinha passes a late fitness test.
Valencia will still be without attackers Bakkali, Cheryshev and Piatti, though Algerian winger Sofiane Feghouli could be involved again after the club lifted his internal suspension.
Match date/time: Sun., 2:30 p.m. ET, 8:30 p.m. local
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
TV: beIN Sports (US and Canada - English); beIN SPORTS en Español (US and Canada - Spanish); Sky Sports 3/HD (UK)
Online: beIN Sports Connect (US and Canada); fuboTV (US); Sky Go (UK)
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